Dalvin Serrin

Dalvin Serrin, 94, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 18, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He was born in Windber, PA, on May 23, 1929, to the late Marie Toth Kotecki. Dalvin was a proud career Marine Corps officer and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. During his service in the Marine Corps, he was a fighter pilot. Serving combat tours in Korea where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and flew combat missions with baseball great Ted Williams. Later he was deployed during the Cuban Missile crisis and served one tour in Vietnam. His favorite fighter was the F8 Crusader, and he was especially proud of his time as the XO of VMF(AW) 122, a squadron he remained close to all his life. He never enjoyed the F4 Phantom because it had a RIO in the back seat. He enjoyed flying a Crusader at 50,000 feet where he could see the curvature of the earth. He loved his family immensely and will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

In addition to his mother, Dalvin is preceded in death by his loving wife, Fannie Mae Ramer Serrin, as well as his step-father, George Kotecki.

He is survived by his sons, Major Thomas R. Serrin USMC (Sabrina) of Kernersville and Kevin George Serrin (Chris Trahan) of St. Louis, MO; grandchildren John Daniel Serrin and Bejamin Thomas Serrin (Nicole); six Great-grandchildren Delaney Mae Serrin, Jimmy Chappell, Brynlea Atwood-Serrin, Summer Ann Serrin, Sasha Elaine Serrin, and Sullivan Benjamin Serrin; as well as four siblings, James Kotecki, John Kotecki, Carol Donovan, and Toni Spears (Ken).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Trellis Supportive care, as well as caregivers Karen Neitz, Heather Skeen, and Nyoka Tilley, in addition to their Weldon Village neighbors.

A memorial service for both Dalvin and Fannie will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Cherry Street United Methodist Church. A visitation will follow the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Trellis supportive care at 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to St. Jude’s Children’s hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.